Saudi creativity has earned international recognition as the manga story Quarter-Life Crisis, produced by Manga Arabia, won the Silver Medal and second place at the 19th International Manga Award, organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. The achievement marks a significant milestone, reinforcing the presence of Saudi talent on the global cultural and creative stage.

Written and illustrated by Saudi author Hamidah Hamadah, Quarter-Life Crisis explores a contemporary and deeply relatable question: Is there a quarter-life crisis, just as there is a midlife crisis?

The story follows Amal, a young woman in her mid-twenties, as she navigates two parallel worlds, an imaginative virtual realm where she expresses her creativity through mythological creatures and fantasy, and a reality shaped by societal expectations, family pressures, and generational differences in values and beliefs. Through a realistic and emotionally grounded narrative, the work sheds light on the challenges, doubts, and aspirations faced by young people during this pivotal phase of life.

The award reflects Manga Arabia’s ongoing commitment to empowering a new generation of Saudi and Arab creators, supporting creative talent, and showcasing their work to international audiences, thereby enhancing the global visibility of Saudi culture and its growing creative diversity.

Commenting on the achievement, Dr. Essam Bukhary, General Manager and Editor-in-Chief of Manga Arabia, stated that the recognition aligns with the company’s vision of investing in people and emerging talent before content itself. He said:

“This achievement adds to Manga Arabia’s growing record of success and embodies our commitment to supporting Saudi and Arab creators and enabling them to compete globally. We firmly believe that local stories have the power to reach and influence international audiences when presented with professionalism and supported through strong institutional empowerment.”

Saudi writer and illustrator Hamidah Hamadah stated:

“This award represents a major boost for me, our team, and the next generation of Saudi and Arab storytellers to keep sharing our stories and experiences authentically. Quarter-Life Crisis captures the journey of many young people in the region today. Through it, I aimed to craft a romantic drama that resonates with readers, highlighting elements of Saudi culture while weaving in a touch of fantasy. I am thrilled that its message can reach the world through a platform like Manga Arabia, which champions talent, inspires confidence, and empowers creators to bring their ideas to life globally.”

Manga Arabia, part of SRMG, is dedicated to showcasing Saudi and Arab creativity globally through content inspired by local culture and values. The company also aims to enrich Arabic content through translated and internationally inspired works that encourage recreational reading among families. To date, Manga Arabia has published more than 100 issues across its two magazines and has supported over 170 creative talents from Saudi Arabia and the wider Arab world. and reached nearly 12 million app downloads in more than 190 countries worldwide.   

In yet another remarkable achievement added to Its record of success, Manga Arabia, a subsidiary of the Saudi Research and Media Group (SRMG), has been honored with the Excellence Award in Publishing (Digital Platform Category) at Riyadh International Book Fair 2025, the award recognizes the company’s pioneering role in developing and promoting creative Arabic content and advancing Manga industry across the region.

The recognition marks a milestone in Manga Arabia’s journey, which began in 2021 with the mission to empower creative Arabic Content and inspire a new generation of Arab readers and creators. Through its digital and print platforms, its applications have surpassed (12) million downloads in more than (200) countries. Manga Arabia continues to engage audiences of all ages, with dedicated editions for both youth and kids. In addition, the company has been actively showcasing several groundbreaking initiatives, including a project to adapt Saudi literature into comic form, with selected works currently on display at the Riyadh International Book Fair pavilion. Other notable projects include “Road to 2034”, developed in collaboration with Saudi Arabian Football Federation, and a partnership with the National Center for Wildlife. Manga Arabia is also contributing to the Saudi Arabia’s pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, where it will present its works translated into Japanese, further strengthening cultural exchange between Saudi Arabia and Japan.

Furthermore, Manga Arabia continues to expand its impact through various initiatives and partnerships, among them its participation as a knowledge partner in the Manga track of the Cultural Skills Competition, organized by the Ministry of literature, Publishing and Translation Commission and Ministry of Education, which attracted nearly 400,000 participants across Saudi Arabia.

Commenting on this achievement, Dr. Essam Bukhary, General Manager and Editor in Chief of Manga Arabia, saying: “We at Manga Arabia are proud of this accomplishment, which reflects our unwavering belief in our mission to empower Arab creativity and deliver high quality content that resonate with audience in Saudi Arabia and across the Arab world. This award is the result of the dedication of our team and all our partners. It serves as a strengthen Saudi Arabia’s position as a leading hub for creative content,”

This award affirms Manga Arabia’s vital role in building an integrated ecosystem that nurtures creative talent and promotes authentic Arab storytelling through a modern artistic style, on those bridges local values with global perspectives, in the line with goals of Saudi Vision 2030 to advance the Saudi Arabia’s cultural and creative industries.

“Manga Arabia", strives to export Saudi and Arab culture and creativity globally through productions inspired by community culture and the core values of Saudi and Arab heritage. The company also enriches Arabic content to attract Arab families to recreational reading with translated and inspired works from global productions, particularly from Japan. Manga Arabia has released over (90) issues of its specialized Arabic and Japanese comic magazines for youth and kids, achieving significant success and engaging over (170) young creatives from the Arab world.

As Expo 2025 Osaka commences, Manga Arabia is set to make a significant cultural impact through the Saudi Arabia Pavilion with exclusive Japanese editions of celebrated Saudi manga magazines, ‘Manga Arabia Kids’ and ‘Manga Arabia Youth’.

The newly released manga magazines will feature prominently alongside a curated list of locally produced manga volumes giving Japanese visitors to the Saudi Arabia Pavilion a unique opportunity to engage with the Kingdom’s evolving creative landscape.

Highlighting a commitment to cultural exchange, this initiative provides Japanese readers with an authentic glimpse into the Kingdom’s storytelling traditions through the lens of manga. By bridging cultures through art, Manga Arabia continues to solidify its influence, delivering original and inspiring narratives deeply rooted in Arab and Saudi values.

Dr. Essam Bukhary, General Manager of Manga Arabia and Editor-in-Chief of Manga Arabia Magazine emphasized the significance of this milestone stating: “We are honoured to present our creative content at the Saudi Arabia Pavilion, offering Japanese and international audiences a glimpse into Saudi storytelling through the art of manga.”

“This initiative represents more than just an exhibition; it is a cultural exchange that celebrates our heritage and values in a universally beloved medium. As we mark 70 years of Saudi-Japanese relations, we look forward to creating a meaningful and memorable experience for visitors.”

Manga Arabia’s influence extends well beyond this event. With a digital platform that has attracted over 12 million users across 195 countries, the company has emerged as a key player in the global manga entertainment market.

Building on this success, the company has now firmly established its presence in Japan through the establishment of Tokyo based subsidiary, Manga International, reflecting a strategic effort to strengthen its international presence. Additionally, the company has forged successful partnerships with leading Japanese publishers, including Shueisha, Kodansha, Shogakukan, Kadokawa, and Hakusensha, further solidifying its position within the industry.

Manga Arabia’s contributions to intellectual property protection have been applauded by the global industry. The Japan Patent Office recently honoured the company for its efforts in combating content piracy and promoting copyright awareness in the Arab world.

As a subsidiary of the Saudi Research and Media Group (SRMG), Manga Arabia remains dedicated to promoting Saudi and Arab creativity on the global stage. Through innovative storytelling and strategic partnerships, the company continues to elevate Arabic content and promote a culture of reading across the region.

Since its inception, Manga Arabia has published 84 magazine issues across more than 220 distribution points in the Arab world, with a monthly circulation exceeding 250,000 copies. The company has also played a pivotal role in nurturing local talent, empowering over 170 young creatives across the region.

By participating in Expo 2025 Osaka through the Saudi Arabia Pavilion, Manga Arabia reaffirms its commitment to bridging cultures, fostering creative exchange and shaping the future of global manga for generations to come.